Assemblyman Skartados Speaks Out Against Thruway Toll Hike at Hearing

August 18, 2012

Assemblyman Frank Skartados (D-Poughkeepsie/Beacon/Newburgh) attended a public hearing on Saturday to oppose the Thruway Authority’s proposed 45 percent toll increase for commercial vehicles. Assemblyman Skartados previously wrote a letter to the New York State Comptroller addressing the issue as a serious matter of concern and urging for an audit the New York State Thruway Authority.

“The Thruway Authority is wrong to ask those who deliver the very goods we depend on everyday to pay a 45% toll increase. However, this would not just hurt truck drivers; it would hurt businesses and families as well. Increasing the cost of shipping will force small businesses to pay more for the goods. And if businesses are forced to pay more, then we, the consumer, will be forced to pay more.”

The proposed 45 percent increase would add about $20 for a Thruway trip between Buffalo and Albany, and nearly $40 for a trip from Buffalo to New York City. If the proposed increase goes into effect, it will be the fifth toll increase in the last seven years.

“This is completely unacceptable and is anything but a “modest” increase as stated by the Thruway Chairman. This just goes to show how out of touch some of these Albany bureaucrats are. We can not sit here and allow this to happen. I will do everything I can to make certain that this outrageous toll hike is not implemented.”

The public still has time to join Assemblyman Skartados in the fight against the toll hike. To voice your opinion, please submit your comments by August 24 to: